Hawks lose again; touted Reddin still sitting out

As losses continue to pile up, the Portland Winter Hawks are desperate for positive news.

The team had expected the debut of 17-year-old Colin Reddin to provide one such piece of news Monday, but, as it has been with so many things this season, the Hawks got no such luck.

Reddin was a last-second scratch, and the Hawks lost 4-1 to Spokane. The loss against U.S. Division-leading Spokane wasn't a surprise, but Reddin's absence was.

The Hawks selected the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Reddin with the 51st pick in the 2005 Bantam draft. He signed with the Hawks but later, with the team's permission, signed to play for the U.S. Hockey national development team program.

After a year and a half with the development team, Reddin decided to leave because of a lack of playing time. He returned to Portland on Jan.10 to play for the Hawks, but USA Hockey has not released him. The Hawks claim Reddin's contract with USA Hockey ended after the 2006-07 season, though he did sign a registration card with ice hockey's governing body in the United States.

Reddin has watched the Hawks from off the ice for the last two weeks. He anticipated playing Monday and participated in warmups.

At 1:30p.m., 30 minutes before game time, the WHL told Winter Hawks President Jack Donovan not to let Reddin play until the situation is resolved.

Without Reddin, the Hawks again struggled to move the puck out of their defensive zone and watched as Spokane converted all three power play opportunities.

Reddin alone is unlikely to change the Hawks' fortunes, but Hawks general manager Ken Hodge said he expects him to be a high-level contributor. Hodge said Reddin's status will be discussed at a meeting of Hockey Canada, of which the WHL is a member.

"It's a battle, and we're in a battle," Hodge said. "Hopefully, with the full support of the WHL we'll get it resolved."

Said Reddin: "I'm just trying to go along with what everyone says, but going out there and playing in warmups and then having to come back in and change out of my gear is upsetting."